Machine Learning to Predict the Interfacial Behavior of Pesticide Droplets on Hydrophobic Surfaces for Minimizing Environmental Risk

Abstract

Achieving accurate and efficient target deposition of pesticide droplets is the principal factor in minimizing environmental risk. For hydrophobic surfaces, adding tank-mix adjuvants containing surfactants to modulate interfacial behavior is warranted, which lacks common laws to guide practical applications directly. Machine learning is developing rapidly and makes many data-based decisions in various industrial processes. Hence, according to machine learning-based analysis of fundamental physical quantities, proposing quantitative sustainability metrics to improve interface behavior is essential. Comparing the interfacial behavior of five adjuvants, the common denominator is that droplets in the Wenzel state with higher adhesion tension and lower contact angles can generate the pinning force that causes energy dissipation, reduces pesticide losses, and weakens environmental pollution. Simultaneously, the interfacial behavior of pesticide droplets including adjuvants on citrus leaves is verified, while the phytotoxicity experiment under high temperature and the laboratory bioassay are carried out. The results show that the eco-friendly alkyl polyglycoside (APG) as the glycosidic surfactant has nontarget biosafety and better mite control, which can be exploited as a commercial tank-mix adjuvant for promotion. This study provides a new insight into guiding adjuvants added to pesticides on account of quantitative sustainability metrics, which has important implications for food safety and agricultural green development.

Uptake, Translocation, and Terminal Residue of Chlorantraniliprole and Difenoconazole in Rice: Effect of the Mixed-Application with Adjuvant

“…By measuring the solution’s static or dynamic contact angle, it is possible to identify wettability, a macroscopic expression of interfacial interactions . Wetting and retention capacity of pesticide solution on the target plant is related to surface tension and contact angle of pesticide droplet on the leaf surface .…”

“…In addition, the surface tension of chlorantraniliprole suspension concentrate and difenoconazole suspension concentrate decreased from 44.6 to 22.4 mN m –1 and 41.5 to 23.1 mN m –1 , respectively, after adding the adjuvant. The reduction of surface tension makes it easier for droplets to enter the micro- or nanostructures on the surface, thus increasing the wettability and spread of droplets on the leaf surface …”

“…The reduction of surface tension makes it easier for droplets to enter the microor nanostructures on the surface, thus increasing the wettability and spread of droplets on the leaf surface. 31 According to previous reports, 33−38 the mixed application of tank-mixed adjuvants and pesticides can increase crop yield compared with the application of pesticides alone. Although the application of tank-mixed adjuvant destroyed the waxy layer of soybean, it also increased the activity of superoxide dismutase and chlorophyll content, and thus enhanced photosynthesis.…”

“…By measuring the solution's static or dynamic contact angle, it is possible to identify wettability, a macroscopic expression of interfacial interactions. 31 Wetting and retention capacity of pesticide solution on the target plant is related to surface tension and contact angle of pesticide droplet on the leaf surface. 32 When the pesticide, adjuvant, and water are mixed into a system and reach the leaf surface, the reduced contact angle indicates that the whole system is easier to spread on the leaf.…”

Mechanism Study on the Alcoholysis and Polymerization Degree of Poly(vinyl alcohol) to Regulate Droplet Impact Behavior on Hydrophobic Surfaces

“…Droplet impact behavior has important research significance in inkjet printing, , aerospace, medicine, − agriculture, − and other fields. Especially, in the process of pesticide spraying, plant leaves exhibit hydrophobicity generated by multistage micro and nano structures and a variety of chemical components, resulting in the pesticide solution easily bouncing, tumbling, − gathering, and being lost when it hits the surface of plant leaves.…”